Origins of Samuel Dennis

The below is from Comlys' Friends Miscellany 1839. I found it on Google Books here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=qrAQAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA6&lpg=PA1&ots=gZ-6qYDbwF&output=text#c_top





Of the early life and religious exercises Increase Woodward, as found among her papers.

Her grandfather, Samuel Dennis, removed to America from Essex, Great Britain, and arrived at New York the 27th of 8th month, 1675—thence to Shrewsbury, New Jersey, where he settled. He afterwards sent home to England for a certificate, which is as^follows,—

From the men's monthly meeting at Stansted, in Essex, the 29th of the 5th month, 1676.

" This is to satisfy all whom it may concern, that we whose names are hereunto subscribed, being of acquaintance of one Samuel Dennis, a bricklayer,who was an inhabitant of a town called Stansted, Mount Fitchel, in the county aforesaid, and who sent to us for a certificate according to the good order of truth. Inquiry hath been made about him, and finding no one that hath any thing against him, and to the best of our knowledge, he lived soberly amongst us, and so departed, leaving a good report behind him, as be- cometh truth: also, clear of marriage engagements to anyone here in England, to the best of our knowledge.

From your loving friends and brethren in the truth.

Joseph Smyth, Ewin Morrell, Wm. Custer, John Custer, Benjamin Scott, Wm. Scott, Thomas Munch, John Mascall,John Brown, John Carebread, Anthony Penystone, John Salmon, Samuel Rooder."

In the year 1680, he married Increase, only daughter of Richard and Abigail Lippincott, of Shrews^ bury. By this connexion he had five children— these, with their parents, became members of the Episcopal church, through the sophistry and influence of George Keith, who had abandoned the principles and Society of Friends, and resided for a time in their family. It is a melancholy reflection, that while he acted, as we have reason to believe, against conviction, he led away those who were really sincere, and himself became shipwrecked in the end, and too late lamented his unhappy condition.